MAC head assures China investors of stable PRC policies

Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Chen Ming-tong (陳明通) yesterday said there would be no unexpected changes in cross-strait relations after next year's presidential election.

Chen made the remarks during a speech in Kaohsiung to Taiwanese businesspeople who invest in China.

Chen said that many people were concerned about a potential increase in cross-strait tensions, as several important political events scheduled for next year approach. These include legislative elections under a new electoral system and a presidential election and referendum on Taiwan's bid to enter the UN using the name "Taiwan."

Chen said, however, that he believed there would be no unexpected changes in cross-strait relations and that government policies concerning China would remain consistent.

Taiwan must continue asserting its sovereignty if it wants to be heard on the global stage, Chen said, adding that the international community and the people of Taiwan and China should all accept the reality that Taiwan is a sovereign nation, officially called the "Republic of China."

Chen urged China to change its behavior toward Taiwan and stop denying Taiwan's sovereignty so that both sides could begin cooperating on a host of issues.

Meanwhile, a high-ranking council official, who wished to remain anonymous, said that Taiwan and China had resumed negotiations about the Olympic torch relay route with the mediation of the International Olympic Committee.